How to wash suede shoes at home, how to wash suede sneakers and boots: we explain in detail

Dirty shoes are a bad calling card for a person. But keeping it clean in autumn and winter is a real skill. While some shoes only need to be wiped with a cloth, others require the use of special cleaning products. This applies to both shoes made from artificial suede and products made from natural materials. An inappropriate cleaning method can irreversibly destroy your shoes or boots. They can change their color and structure. So what to do? How to properly clean and can suede shoes be washed? Let's figure it out.

Features of suede

Suede fabric on a natural basis is obtained by tanning and impregnating the skin of calves, sheep, goats or deer with a special composition. This is a thin and elastic material with a fleecy and delicate surface, but at the same time suede is characterized by wear resistance and durability. This fabric allows air to pass through well, retains heat for a long time, and is lightweight and soft. This material never gets wet through.

However, natural suede has disadvantages:

it costs expensive;
quickly becomes dirty and dusty;
shoes made of such material cannot be worn in rainy weather, since exposure to moisture negatively affects its appearance;
special care products are required.

Faux suede is a fabric with bristles that imitates natural leather. It is characterized by less durability and strength, but with good care it can have an attractive appearance for a long time. This material repels dust well, is easy to clean from dirt, but does not allow air to pass through and does not tolerate moisture well.

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How to wash faux suede sneakers?

Unlike natural material, artificial suede tolerates wet processing very well. If you carry out the washing procedure correctly, your shoes will last for many years and will retain their attractive appearance.

Hands

When washing by hand, it is important to use “soft” products that do not contain aggressive components. The soap solution is applied to the surface of the sneakers using a sponge or stiff brush. It is very important to process the material in one direction so as not to damage the pile. Wash off any remaining product with clean water using a napkin.

In car

Machine washing faux suede follows the same rules as when washing natural suede. However, in this case, the water temperature should not exceed 30°C, but otherwise the recommendations are the same - delicate mode, gentle products, no spinning and drying, special covers.

When washing natural or artificial suede, you can use special detergents for suede or wool. In addition, if heavily soiled, it is permissible to wash sneakers on the “Wool” mode, while controlling the water temperature and not exceeding the permissible norm.

Features of caring for natural suede

It is not recommended to machine wash natural suede. Only with your hands. And only according to the instructions.

So if you plan to wash your suede sneakers, be sure to read this article to the end. Better yet, keep it in the most visible place. Believe me, this information will come in handy more than once.

Method for removing dirt 1. So, you have in your hands an expensive pair of natural suede that requires urgent cleaning. First, rinse your shoes under running warm water to remove dirt. Did you rinse? Now put them aside.

Next, fill a bowl of warm water, pour in (pour) hand washing powder, stir until completely dissolved and place the shoes in it. Never apply detergent directly to dirty areas of suede. Direct contact will destroy the texture of the material and then the next “stop” for your favorite boots is the nearest trash can.

We wait. After washing, be sure to dry the pair. To do this, first use a damp natural fabric (cotton) and then a dry one. It wouldn’t hurt to put paper inside the shoes so that the material inside the product doesn’t become damp.

Method for removing dirt 2. If your suede “all-terrain vehicles” are generally in poor condition, you need to use “heavy cleaning artillery” - steaming. It sounds menacing, but in reality it looks quite harmless. The only disadvantage of this method is that its implementation requires a significant amount of time.

These are not textile sneakers for you to wash in the washing machine . So, take out a pan, pour in water and boil it. Now we take suede shoes and hold them over steam until the coating becomes soft. Next, take a damp brush and begin to remove dirt from it until it is completely removed.

Method for removing dirt 3. There is another way to revive “dirty” suede - ammonia. Dilute the substance with water in a 1:1 ratio, apply to a natural cloth and remove dirt with gentle movements.

Superficial wet cleaning

If there are small contaminated areas on your shoes, you can deal with them using improvised means. First you need to remove adhered dirt with a special brush, then start cleaning:

Old stubborn stains can be removed using steam. To do this you will need to boil a large pot of water. First wipe shoes in dirty areas with a damp sponge, then hold it over boiling water for several minutes. When the material has steamed well, clean the stains with a special stiff brush for caring for suede. After the procedure, blot the shoes with a microfiber cloth and treat the surface with a special care product for suede products.
Any salt stains that have appeared can be removed with ammonia. Dilute a 10% solution of ammonia with water in a ratio of 1:4, dip the sponge and clean the stains.
Sprinkle greasy stains with cornstarch, talcum powder, or baby powder before cleaning - the powder will absorb most of the grease. Then start cleaning with a stiff brush.
If there are stains of unknown origin on the suede surface, they should be treated with a paste made from ammonia and potato starch. Apply the mixture to the contaminated areas for a few minutes, then remove with a brush and dry.

If none of the methods work, you will have to wash your shoes.

Handwash

If, after a forced walk through puddles, your shoes become very wet, or there are stains on them that cannot be removed using a dry method, you can try washing them. It is better to do this manually and without pre-soaking.

To carry out the procedure, you will need a suitable container, for example, a wide basin. Dilute a small amount of liquid soap without dyes or a special detergent for washing suede products in cool water. To prevent the material from becoming rough, add ammonia to the solution - 15 drops per 500 ml of water. Rinse shoes under running water to remove most of the dirt. Then moisten a special soft sponge in the prepared soapy liquid and carefully treat the surface of the shoes.

After this, pour water into the container and remove any remaining soap and foam with a clean sponge, carefully blotting the material. Blot cleaned shoes with an absorbent cloth and stuff tightly with paper towels. This method of maintaining shape in this case will also absorb the remaining moisture.

Cleaning and care products

Suede, like leather, is prone to the adhesion of dust and other contaminants and absorption of moisture. In addition, every spot on it is noticeable. The appearance of suede shoes is directly proportional to their care. The sooner you start, the longer they will serve you.

But how to clean the dirt? What are the best tools and stain removers? Let's get a look.

Special devices and substances for cleaning suede can be purchased at every specialty store. These include:

Brushes. Special brushes are rubber on one side and wire on the other. This makes it possible to clean and restore lint with one tool.
Sponges. They are softer and suitable for people who are wary of using brushes.
Special cleaning foam. Sold in every shoe store.
Water and Marseille soap.

Cleaning and care process:

Take out the laces. Wash them or replace them with new ones. You can try a different color from the original shade. You will see your shoes take on a fresh look.
To make cleaning easier, insert tensioners. By stretching, the material is better cleaned, and the applied products are better removed.
Eliminate surface dust. It is best to do this with a brush with dense bristles.
Do not forget about seams and all hard-to-reach places, tongue, stitches at the sole.
Suede tends to wear and become shiny in exposed areas. To eliminate this drawback, a crepe brush made of natural rubber is suitable.
The next step is to use a renovator. This product nourishes the skin, makes it elastic, prevents hardening and restores color to some extent. After applying from the distance indicated on the package, leave the substance to dry (also in accordance with the instructions), brush again.
Don't forget to take care of your soles. Their edges often need to be repaired using a special cream. It is best applied with a finger wearing a nitrile glove.

Washing in an automatic washing machine

The label of each suede pair contains information about the possibility of washing it in an automatic machine, so before loading a pair into the drum, you need to read the manufacturer’s recommendations.

If the decision to wash has been made, then processing must be carried out according to strict rules:

Remove all visible dirt from shoes, thoroughly clean the soles of small stones. You can rinse the pair under running water to rid it of dust.
Remove laces and insoles, if any, from shoes. These elements are washed separately, by hand.
Place the boots in a washing bag. It is a mesh that acts as additional protection. If you don’t have one in the house, you can use an old pillowcase.
Pour the selected cleaning product into the washing machine. To wash suede shoes, it is recommended to use gel capsules or liquid powders. Such compositions dissolve well in cool water and are better washed out when rinsing.
Set the appropriate program. The best option is the “delicate” or “gentle” wash mode. If it is not there, then the machine is set up manually. The temperature is left at 30 degrees, and the spin is turned off. The optimal washing duration is 30-40 minutes.
Remove shoes from the drum and bag and dry in natural conditions.

It is prohibited to use aggressive detergents containing chlorine to wash suede shoes.

What happens if you wash suede sneakers in a washing machine, video experiment:

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Manually

To get rid of salt deposits, soil and dust, the pair can be washed by hand. Step-by-step algorithm of actions:

dissolve laundry or liquid soap in water;
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Place a thick, light-colored fabric inside each shoe - this is done to prevent water from filling the shoes, penetrating under the insoles and destroying the sole; most often, the internal elements do not need to be washed;
moisten a toothbrush in the detergent;
rub the contaminated areas with it;
Dry your shoes naturally.

After drying, suede may become stiff . To give it an attractive look, it should be rubbed with a special brush. Such devices are sold in all shoe stores.

If the shoes are very dirty, cleaning will not be enough. In this case, you can soak it. Leaving the steam in the water for longer than 5-15 minutes is not recommended.

Rules for hand washing with soaking:

Prepare a cleaning solution. This can be liquid soap diluted in water or another cleaning composition containing a surfactant.
Rinse the shoes under running water and clean the soles.
Remove insoles and laces, if present.
Place the couple in a bowl of water and leave for a few minutes. There is no need to completely immerse your shoes in the solution. The less water gets inside, the better. Periodically you need to go to the container and check if the dirt has come off from your shoes. If the stains are gone, the washing process can be continued.
Using a toothbrush or any other soft-bristled brush, rub the areas that are more dirty than others.
Rinse the shoes under running clean water and blot with a soft cloth outside and inside.
The steam is dried under natural conditions.

To prevent shoes from losing their shape during drying, you can place white paper or bandages inside. The filler is changed as it becomes saturated with moisture.

It is prohibited to soak winter shoes, shoes and long boots.

This video will show you how to clean suede sneakers by hand:

Remove stubborn dirt

How to wash suede shoes when the dirt is very ingrained into the leather? It is unacceptable to do this in a typewriter. You need to prepare a special soap solution with the addition of ammonia. This substance will not only help remove stains faster, but will also dissolve soap shavings more quickly.

How to wash suede sneakers in the washing machine if they are just a little dusty and made of artificial material? Then it is better to set the most gentle mode, which will help wash the product for 15-20 minutes. There is no need to put the spin cycle on, but it is better to dry your sneakers or boots in the open air, but not near a radiator. It is worth pre-wiping your shoes to remove excess moisture.

Proper drying of suede items after washing

Well, the shoes (or something else) have been “bought back”, now they need to be dried. The most important rule that you need to remember is do not place wet shoes under/in/on artificial heating sources (heaters, radiators, etc.). Place paper (newspaper) crumpled into a ball inside the shoe and change it as it gets wet.

Is it possible to wash suede shoes in a machine? It is possible, but only artificial. Be careful and then your clean and well-groomed shoes will definitely take you to beautiful places.

Drying clothes made from delicate material plays an important role. To maintain aesthetic appeal, it is recommended to avoid stretching or folding the product. The best solution would be to dry on a horizontal surface or hanger. It is prohibited to place suede clothing under the scorching sun. Aggressive impact can cause loss of color and shrinkage of the item. After complete drying, clothes made from natural and artificial materials are cleaned with a special brush for suede.

As already mentioned, suede clothing should not be wrung out after washing. To remove excess water, the clothes only need to be lightly squeezed with your hands in several places.

Dry things horizontally on a flat surface. A dress or jacket hanging on a hanger will certainly stretch out and lose its shape under the weight of absorbed water.

Drying near heating devices - radiators, heaters, heaters, and even more so on their surface is strictly prohibited.

To prevent shoes or gloves from losing their shape, you need to put crumpled absorbent paper inside, changing it periodically to speed up drying.

Proper drying

After washing your shoes, you need to dry them properly. The moisture will completely evaporate no earlier than after 20 hours. You should not wear a pair until this time.

Basic recommendations to follow:

do not expose steam to heating devices or fire sources, do not use a hairdryer;
protect suede from exposure to direct sunlight;
To dry quickly, products should be kept in a room with low humidity.

Suede shoes should dry naturally, at room temperature.

Drying suede boots correctly

If you had to wash your suede shoes with water, you need to dry them properly. Natural drying is extremely important for such material. If you try to speed up this process, the suede will become rough and hard.

To ensure your shoes dry properly, you need to follow these recommendations:

It is forbidden to dry suede products with a hairdryer, near an open fire source or near a radiator.
Wet boots should be dried in a well-ventilated area, avoiding direct sunlight.
Shoes should also be dried from the inside. For this purpose, crumpled newspaper is placed in it, which is changed as needed. This method will be effective if the boots are wet through.

The suede product needs to be dried for about 20 hours. As a last resort, you should use a hairdryer. In this case, the lowest power is used, and the device itself must be kept at a distance of 20-25 cm from the surface of the shoe.

A few more methods

To manually wash natural suede, use a soap solution with the addition of:

Vinegar;
Ammonia;
Ethyl alcohol.

In addition, talc and sandpaper will help to clean your boots properly. To begin with, you can try to remove dirt with ethyl alcohol. To do this, you need to moisten a cloth or use a brush in a small amount of alcohol and water solution.

If it is not possible to remove contaminants, ammonia will help. With this substance it is worth doing the same as with ethyl alcohol. When you can’t wash it this way, you need to prepare a vinegar solution. A couple of ml should be diluted in 20 ml of water. Wipe the boots with a cloth and let them dry. Vinegar will not ruin the delicate material, but will remove dirt.

If your suede shoes are brown, coffee grounds will help remove stains. After treatment with this substance, the shoes should be wiped with a rubber brush. It is advisable to clean lightly. It is correct to do this with movements in the same direction. This way it is impossible to damage the material from which shoes or moccasins are made.

You will have to remove dirt manually even if gaps are found in the areas where the upper is glued to the sole. Such shoes should be cleaned by hand, rather than washing them in a machine, and then given to a shoemaker. It will help remove dirt residues correctly if dirt still remains.

Sandpaper can be used with caution when cleaning. If this is an extreme case, sanding will help, but it is important to proceed with extreme caution.

Many housewives wash faux suede shoes with a machine, after putting them in a special bag. This is justified; experts recommend this cleaning option.

It is important to prevent bald spots from appearing on suede shoes. Nothing will help to remove them. Therefore, it is important to properly care for your shoes from the day you purchase them.

So, suede shoes cannot be washed in a machine, since expensive moccasins or shoes can be damaged. It is recommended to remove dirt manually using a soft rubber brush. When the spots are greasy or do not come off during dry treatment, a solution of ethyl alcohol, ammonia or vinegar will help. If you use the right methods for removing dirt, you can achieve not only cleanliness, but also significantly refresh your shoes, improving their appearance.

Milk, soda and kerosene

How to wash suede if you can’t do it in a washing machine because the sneakers or boots are made of natural material? There are a number of available tools for this. Everything will have to be done manually. Therefore, you should take care to protect your hands by wearing rubber gloves.

A solution of milk and soda will help. It is better to heat skim milk (50 ml) a little and mix it with a spoon of soda. Soak a sponge in the solution and blot the shoes. Then wipe with a cloth soaked in water and let dry.

Gasoline will help remove heavy dirt and greasy stains. It is worth using a brush to remove clumps of dry dirt. The remaining contaminants are treated with gasoline. Afterwards, wipe the area with a cloth soaked in water.

There are always crackers on hand. It's better to take a crust of white bread. The boots should be held over steam and the dirt should be wiped off with a cracker. It is correct to treat stains with a brush. It is better to clean very carefully, without pressing.

Talc or baby powder will help remove dirt properly. It will not damage delicate material and will remove greasy stains. The powder should be applied to the surface of the shoes, wait half an hour and remove the stains with a brush.

Dry cleaning can also help you wash natural shoes, but if you don’t trust its specialists, you should act on your own, processing the material manually.

Useful care tips

Simple tips on how to restore and maintain the presentable appearance of suede products:

You can restore the original appearance of light suede shoes using a solution of milk and soda. Mix skim milk at room temperature (200 ml) with 1 tablespoon of soda. Rub the resulting solution with a sponge into the surface of the suede. After the procedure, remove the mixture with a clean damp sponge, blot with a dry microfiber cloth and fill the shoes with crumpled paper towels.
White suede can be refreshed using hydrogen peroxide and ammonia. To prepare the solution, mix both components with clean water in a 1:1:1 ratio. When cleaning light-colored items, it is important to use only clean brushes or sponges.
To restore the brightness of brown suede, proceed in the same way, using water and coffee grounds in the same proportions.
Regular copy paper will help return the rich black color of suede shoes. Before you polish faded shoes with carbon paper, you need to remove dirt from their surface and dry them if they are wet.
If shiny areas appear on the shoes, they must first be treated with a damp sponge, then lightly moistened with castor oil, and walked over the surface again. To lift the pile, you need to rub the shiny areas with a regular eraser or hold the shoes over steam.

It is always easier to prevent the appearance of stains than to deal with them. To avoid the need to wash suede shoes, you just need to take care of them from time to time, treat them with water-repellent agents, and do not wear them in rainy weather.

What products can be used for washing?

It is allowed to use special foam to clean shoes. It is sprayed onto all problem areas and spread with flannel. In the absence of synthetic detergents, it is allowed to use:

petrol;
coffee grounds;
talc;
baby powder;
nail polish remover.

Talc

If suede shoes have a light shade, use a milk-soda solution instead of soap. To prepare it, you will need baking soda and skim milk. Greasey stains can be removed using dry cornstarch. It should remain on the suede surface for 3 hours. After this period ends, the product is treated with a hard bristle brush. Along with your shoes, you can purchase special cleaning equipment and protective aerosol.

What not to do to avoid damaging suede shoes when washing

To prevent contamination, suede products are not recommended to be worn in bad weather. Walking through puddles and snowdrifts negatively affects the general condition of the shoes. Before leaving the house, the suede surface should be treated with a protective aerosol. If stains still appear, you should refuse:

use of ordinary cleaning products and devices;
drying near electrical appliances;
automatic cleaning of products with compromised integrity.

Following the recommendations on how to wash suede sneakers and boots will increase their service life. Thanks to gentle processing, you can quickly and effectively eliminate scuffs and return damaged shoes to their former shine.

Alternative Cleaning Methods

You can remove stains from suede shoes using other methods. They are considered more gentle than machine or hand washing.

These include:

Using a rubber brush or school eraser. Use them to remove stains on shoes. This method is suitable for removing fresh, non-ingrained stains.
Using foam to clean carpets. It is applied to the contaminated area, left for 5-10 minutes, after which it is removed with a damp sponge.
Steam cleaning. This method allows you to deal with greasy stains. In a suitable container, bring water to a boil, then hold the shoe over the steam. You cannot treat shoes with hot, humid air for longer than 5 minutes. When the dirt has softened, rub it with a damp brush with soft bristles. After cleaning is completed, the shoes need to be dried.
Using talc or starch. These powders have absorbent properties, so they work great on greasy stains. They are applied to the stain and pressed down with paper. You can additionally place a load on the surface. This will enhance the fat absorption process. After 3 hours, the paper is removed and the remaining powder is removed with a brush.

Don't wait for the dirt that gets on your shoes to dry and be absorbed into the fabric. You need to start cleaning as early as possible. This will get rid of stains with minimal damage to the suede pair.